First thing I said when I woke up after being #paralysed in a car crash was that one day I would ski at the #paralympics!?
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I wanted to learn to ski again as soon as I possibly could. .
I never could have guessed that life would take me down a different path though, and instead of competing at the games..I’m going to be presenting! .
But no matter how exciting that adventure will be..NOTHING in the WHOLE world feels better than this...
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Next stop...#winterparalympics2018 😆❄️
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.#skiing #monoski #paralympics #tvpresenting #paraplegic #winterpark #disabilitysport #wheelchairlife #WheelchairGirl #dreams #colorado #inspired #paralympics #2018winterolympics #channel4 #presenting #learningtomonoski
🙌🏻🙌🏻Thank you again to @janesowerby (the pro in the video!) for teaching me so far. I have a long way to go but couldn’t do it with out ya! Contact @access_adventures if you want to know ANYTHING about #adaptive sport🙌🏻🙌🏻

Learning to #monoski is one of the most challenging sports for a paraplegic, so having a teacher who knows what they are doing is key! Jane (@janesowerby) is a #Paralympian who also had a spinal injury - she is hands down one of the most talented and graceful skiers I’ve ever seen! People with different disabilities can use a monoski (amputees, people with CP, spina bifida and more) but the way paralysis affects how we are able to move the #monoski is unique. Depending on your level of injury for example, your balance or ability to use your hips might be affected. So having lessons from such an experienced and knowledgable skier makes all the difference! If ANY one is interested in knowing more about adaptive sports or how Jane can help you, please get in touch - promise you, it/she will change your life! Follow @access_adventures for more info. .
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#AccessAdventure #NSCD #sitskiing #parasport #disabilitysport #monoski #wheelchairlife #wheelchair #WheelchairGirl #skiing #adaptivesport #inspiration #motivation #sport #adventure @access_adventures @janesowerby @sitski

When the only way to stop is to go straight into a tree 🌲❄️☃️ @janesowerby

Out in Winter Park in Colorado with the #NSCD #BridgeProgram learning to monoski. I can’t begin to explain how hard I find skiing, trying to balance on one ski when I’m paralysed from the chest down and have no core stability makes things challenging to say the least! But when it’s good, it’s the best feeling in the world! A compilation of my best falls so far is on its way!! Thanks to the amazing for teaching me. If ANYONE wants to know more about how you to can learn to ski please get in touch with the or drop me a message and I’ll see if I can help. I’ve a long way to go but practice makes perfect...🤞🏻!
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#winterpark #colorado #monoski #tessier #adventure #paraplegic #disabilty #Disabled #disabilitysport #parasport #sitskiing #NSCD #AccessAdventure

Out in Winter Park in Colorado with the #NSCD #BridgeProgram learning to monoski. I can’t begin to explain how hard I find skiing, trying to balance on one ski when I’m paralysed from the chest down and have no core stability makes things challenging to say the least! But when it’s good, it’s the best feeling in the world! A compilation of my best falls so far is on its way!! Thanks to the amazing @janesowerby for teaching me. If ANYONE wants to know more about how you to can learn to ski please get in touch with the @NSCD or drop me a message and I’ll see if I can help. I’ve a long way to go but practice makes perfect...🤞🏻!
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#sitskiing #NSCD #winterpark #colorado #monoski #paraplegic #disability #disabilitysport #parasport #skiing #notasuperhuman! #tessier 📷 #olympuspen @olympus_pengeneration

Tomorrow I’m heading out to Colorado to go skiing in Winter Park, Denver. I’m re learning and it’s not easy but it is the BEST feeling in the world! If you want to try and adaptive sports you have to check out @accessadventures, contact @sitski or visit their website. They have soooo many different sports and activities on offer! Time to have an adventure! 😎
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#accessadventures #adventure #parasport #adaptivesport #wheelchairlife #sitskiing #winterpark #NSCD #sport #disability

Working on a passion project just now that I hope will #empower #disabled people. Lucky to have so many brilliant people around to help make it happen. Love it when a plan comes together. #TimesUp for disability discrimination as well..😉
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.#passionproject #idea #work #disability #create #empower #cheeky #secret #comingsoon

Best day with these two boys yesterday at @geotribetattoo in Newcastle. Got tattooed by the SUPER talented @scottttaylor (left) SO lucky to have such a talented artist design this tattoo for me as it’s a very special one. (This isn’t the finished design) THANK you’s to @danielpatrickvaughan and @jojolizard Check out Scott’s work at @scottttaylor #Tattoo #Frida #Paralysed #Cantfeelit! #design #art #artist #scotttaylor #geotribe #newcastle

Proud Ambassador for @toyotamobilityfoundation. Check them out and find out how you can keep up to date or get involved! Visit their website

Before you begin you need to be able to answer one question. Property produces two sources of profit: capital growth and rental income. Which is more important to you? Do you want to put some of your hard-earned money into bricks and mortar just to watch that capital (hopefully) grow slowly over time, or do you want to make your money work harder for you today by investing for rental income?

Predicting capital growth isn’t easy, and purchasing a property in the hope it might increase in value isn’t a wise move. Try to buy in a way that no matter what happens to the market, your investment is sound. For example, buy below market value, or plan to add value by developing the property.

Think outside the box

When buying a home to live in yourself, you will search for very specific criteria. But when you buy for investment, try to forget everything you want and approach the search from a different perspective. Research locations where neighbouring areas have already seen price increases, or have new transport links arriving. Try to think outside the box. We have bought properties in locations that may not have a high residential value or be sought-after, but are close to local businesses making them very easy to rent.

Stress test your investment

Find a good mortgage broker experienced in buy-to-let mortgages. If you use the formula of purchase price plus refurbishment costs (plus extra for fees) being less than 75 per cent of the end ‘done up’ value, you can then release cash by refinancing. Take advice from your broker.

Consider an interest-only mortgage so that you only have to put down 25 to 30 per cent of the property’s value, and repay the interest each month. It’s important to stress-test your investment, and also to buy at the right price so that you can repay your loan when you sell.

Who’s going to live there?

Think about who will be living in the property. You can keep it simple and rent to one person or one family on a long term tenancy agreement, giving you the peace of mind that you will be able to pay your mortgage each month. But you could consider increasing your earnings by renting it out as a holiday let, or — if the property is large enough — you could spilt it into individual rooms and rent to working professionals. However, holiday lets and homes of multiple occupancy take more time to manage, so consider your options carefully.

Set up a company

If you plan on buying more than one investment property, consider setting up a limited company. There are pros and cons to this, so talk to your accountant to make sure it’s right for you. Any profits you generate when owning property in your own name will be considered income and you will be taxed accordingly. However, if you hold properties in a company, any profits will be liable for Corporation Tax instead (currently 19%). Also, from April 2020, mortgage interest will no longer be an allowable expense for individual property investors, but will be for companies.

Manage the managers

Investing in property correctly is one of the most liberating financial moves you can make. You can make a full-time job out of it and manage your properties yourself but with the right management, you can generate income without getting out of bed. Take as much time researching managers as properties.

Get help

If you are serious about investing, then invest in education. There’s a whole range of resources online, but nothing beats having a mentor. Prices vary, but the cost of making a mistake when investing in property isn’t worth thinking about, so make some calls and see if you can find someone with experience to help you make the most of your money.

Sophie’s tips

■ Look for fixer-uppers, repossessions, or homes with motivated sellers. Try and buy at least 10 per cent below the market value.

■ Don’t wait any longer. There is no time like the present to make the move to start investing. If you buy right, you will never regret it!

■ Sophie Morgan is a director of Empire Investors, a property investment and development company in the North East. She is also co-presenter of Best Laid Plans, a ten-week series which helps homeowners to undertake large-scale renovation projects. It starts Saturday at 4:30pm on Channel 4.